France 1559-K teston

Jean Elsen list 259, lot 1054

This specimen was lot 1054 in Jean Elsen price list 259 (Brussels, January-March 2012), where it was offered at €300. The catalog noted,

"FRANCE ROYALE, François II (1559-1560), AR teston, 1559 K, Bordeaux. 2e type. A l'effigie et au titre de son père Henri II. Droit: B. cuirassé à droite. Revers: Ecu de France couronné, entre deux H couronnés. Très Beau (kingdom of France, Francis II (1559-60). silver teston of 1559. Bordeaux mint, second type, with the bust of Henry II. Obverse: armored bust to right; reverse: crowned arms of France between two crowned H's. Very fine.)"

The portrait is of Henry II (r. 1547-59) tho issued during the reign of Francis II. Milled coinage was experimental in the sixteenth century and would not be generally adopted in France until the reform of 1640-42. This type is listed in Duplessy for 1559-60.

Recorded mintage: est. 66,555, a common date.

Specification: 9.59 g, .899 fine silver, 9,46 g (this specimen).

Catalog reference: Dupl., 1031; Ciani 1268; Laf., 865, Sb 4566.

Source:

• Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
• Sombart, Stéphan, Franciae IV: Catalogue des Monnaies Royales Françaises de François Ier à Henri IV (1540-1610), Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 1997.

• Elsen, Philippe, et al., Liste 259, Brussels: Jean Elsen & ses Fils, S.A., 2012.

Link to:

• 1555-L teston
• 1558 écu au moulin
• 1558-A teston au moulin
• 1559-B teston
• 1559-H teston
• 1559-L teston
• 1559-M teston
• 1559-B demi-henri d'or
• 1559-B henri d'or
• 1560-D teston
• 1560-M teston
• Bearn 1571 teston
• 1576-A franc au col plat
• Coins and currency dated 1559
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)